Recreation Therapy
Overview
Be a part of a field dedicated to optimizing health and improving quality of life through recreation and leisure.
Using the therapeutic recreation process, recreation therapists work with persons with physical, cognitive, emotional and/or social limitations to acquire and/or maintain the skills, knowledge and behaviours that will allow them to enjoy their leisure optimally, function independently with the least amount of assistance and participate as fully as possible in society.
The goal is to enable all individuals to achieve quality of life and optimal health through meaningful participation in recreation and leisure. The profession recognizes the importance of the recreation experience and supports all individuals in having full access to and the freedom to choose recreation and leisure opportunities.
Through field placements and community volunteer experiences, students receive valuable hands-on learning. Through these opportunities, students further develop their skills in assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation. They will also have an opportunity to receive specialized training as part of the course curriculum.
Reasons to Choose Lambton College's Program
Professional Association Memberships
Students will receive a Therapeutic Recreation Ontario student membership.
Additional Training
Additional training that is highly sought after by employers.
Learn from the best
Faculty who are current and experts in their field
Build relationships with the Community
Community partnerships that allow students to receive practical, hands-on experiences.
Exposure to the profession in real-time
Field placements within a Recreation Therapy setting.
Admission Requirements
O.S.S.D. or equivalent with:
- Grade 12 English C or U
Mature Student Assessment for this program is available in the subject of English for the purpose of demonstrating proficiency in this required admission subject. For all other admission requirements, applicants must complete the required course(s) as listed above. For more information, please contact counselling@lambtoncollege.ca. Review the Mature Student Admission process.
Academic admission requirements can be obtained through Academic Upgrading and the Pre-Programs at Lambton College.
Costs
- Year 1 $4,250.34
- Year 2 $4,144.68
Please Note: These fees apply to the 2026-2027 academic year and are subject to change. Fees do not include books (unless specifically noted), supplies or living costs.
Additional Fees
-
Name Tag$15.00
-
Passport to Placement Fee$40.00
-
CPR/First Aid$145.00
Costs Associated with Placement
Students are responsible for all costs associated with travelling to and from placement. A police records check will also be required to be eligible for placement.
Technology Requirements
In order to keep pace with the requirements of each and every course in your program, Lambton College requires that each student have access to a laptop while studying at our college.
Courses
Contact
School of Fire Science, Health & Community Services
Program Information
After Graduation
Employment Opportunities
Employment may be found in the areas of pediatrics, mental health, hospitals, community settings, long-term care, rehabilitation, and corrections.
Pathways
Build on your education and complete a college diploma or university degree in Ontario, Canada, or abroad
Want to see more Ontario transfers? Visit ONTransfer.ca.
Accreditations & Certifications
Therapeutic Recreation Ontario
Currently, the registration designation of R/TRO (professionals with a degree) or R/TRO DIP (professionals with a diploma) is a voluntary credential intended to recognize a level of excellence.
It is anticipated that the Government of Ontario will move toward regulation of this profession, but that is not expected for a number of years.
When regulation does occur, the R/TRO DIP designation may represent the minimum criteria necessary. At present, even though it is not provincially mandated, some employers do require R/TRO designation for hiring.
Fees Associated with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario
- Therapeutic Recreation Membership (optional)
- Professional Membership - $180 per year
- Associate Membership - $150 per year
- Therapeutic Recreation Ontario Registration - R/TRO DIP
- Initial Registration Fee - $165
Become a Member
Placement
- You’ll complete a placement as part of this program, giving you the chance to apply what you learn in a real-world setting. This hands-on experience helps you build practical skills, explore your career interests, and gain experience valued by employers.
Placement Requirements
All placements have requirements that must be completed before you begin. These typically include a Police Record Check with Vulnerable Sector and proof of immunizations.
Vaccinations & Police Record Checks
Students considering this program should be aware that there are field placement requirements. All placements require students to have police record checks. Proof of immunizations is also required and must be cleared through Passport to Placement.
Once you’ve applied, you can log in to mylambton.ca and view the program-specific Field & Clinical Placement Requirements. If you need information about these requirements before applying, please contact placementinfo@lambtoncollege.ca.
More Information
Registration Designation
According to Therapeutic Recreation Ontario, the registration designation (R/TRO) is currently a voluntary credential intended to recognize a level of excellence. It is anticipated that the Government of Ontario will move toward regulation of the profession, but this is not expected to happen for a number of years.
When regulation does occur, the R/TRO designation may represent the minimum criteria necessary. Currently, even though it is not provincially mandated, some employers do require R/TRO designation for hiring.
Technology Requirements
It is recommended that you use a Windows laptop for your coursework. While other devices like MacBooks or Chromebooks might work for some tasks, they may not support all the software required for your program. If you're unsure, check with your professors before buying.
Internet Speed Requirements
To get the best experience while learning online, we recommend having an internet connection with at least 40 Mbps download speed and 10 Mbps upload speed. This will help you use video calls, attend online lectures, and access other learning tools smoothly.
Because students live in many different areas, we can't suggest a specific internet provider. You'll need to check with local companies to find one that works best for you.
Laptop Requirements
In order to access the internet and virtually-delivered software and courseware, student laptops should include the following at a minimum. By meeting the following specifications, students will be equipped to access software and courseware on their laptop through the internet:
- Intel i5 8th Gen Processor or equivalent
- 8GB of RAM
- 100 GB HDD or more
- Webcam with a microphone
- Wi-Fi capable (802.11n/ac 5GHz)
- Windows 11 operating system
Mobile Device
Students will require a mobile device (smartphone) for:
- Accessing your digital student ID
- Using campus applications and services
Software
To ensure students are getting the most our of their classroom experience, some software will be required.
Lambton College has made this software easily accessible online. Students can leverage our Microsoft Office 365 software packages and services. In addition, much of the software you require for your courses will be available on demand for use on any device - on or off campus.